Officials consider moving Sault police station downtown
The discussion at the city council table about safety in downtown Sault Ste. Marie has some city officials talking about relocating the Sault Police Service to the downtown core.
Officials said the current police station building on Second Line East is nearing the end of its lifespan and will need some renovations in the near future. While it’s possible the current building can simply be renovated, city councillor Matthew Shoemaker said he would like to see a permanent police presence downtown.
“I have some preference to see it on Gore Street where there’s a number of vacant lots in close proximity to where the Neighbour Resource Centre used to be,” said Shoemaker. “It could serve a dual purpose of both a neighbourhood resource centre and a police service building very close to the downtown area.”
Sault Ste. Mayor Christian Provenzano said with the police service employing roughly 200 people, it would be a positive addition to the downtown core. Provenzano pointed out the discussion is in the very early stages.
“I think it would be a nice compliment to the downtown if it made sense strategically, if the police service thought that it was strategically sensible to locate in the downtown core, I think that would be a great place for it,” said Provenzano.
“A new building in the downtown core would be great, having all those employees in the downtown core would be great and having a significant police presence right in the heart of our city would be positive.”
The chair of the Downtown Association said he’s pleased the possibility is even being discussed.
“I think it would be beneficial for them to be in the downtown,” said Salvatore Marchese. “Members have reached out (to say) how it would be nicer to have the police within arm's reach. And like a lot of other municipalities, the police are located downtown.”
In a statement to CTV News, Sault Ste. Marie Police Chief Hugh Stevenson had this to say:
“At the direction of the police services board, we are working with the city to evaluate our current facilities and determine how they meet operational standards. We will continue to evaluate community interest regarding any potential location of the police services building in the future.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
Auston Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with season on the line
Auston Matthews was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.